The Tämpiṭavihāras of Sri Lanka: Elevated Image-Houses in Buddhist Architecture

The Ṭämpiṭavihāras of Sri Lanka focus on one distinctive Buddhist architectural practice from pre-modern Sri Lanka – the construction of Buddha image houses on elevated wooden platforms supported by stone pillars. As a center of Buddhism, Sri Lanka has a rich tradition of erecting Buddha image houses, the origin of which dates to the fifth century. Yet, the Ṭämpiṭavihāras tradition only existed from the thirteenth to the nineteenth centuries. The Ṭämpiṭavihāras is an exceptional type of image house, not only for its specific timeframe and unique construction technology but also for its complex architectural conception of the Buddhist worldview and soteriology. This book examines the significant aspects of Ṭämpiṭavihāras architecture and documents some of the distinctive examples of Ṭämpiṭavihāras with an analysis of their architectural design and symbolic content.